Business briefs

Thursday

Sep 13, 2012 at 12:06 AMSep 13, 2012 at 5:36 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesalers increased their stockpiles in July from June, but sales fell for a third straight month. Declining sales could force companies to cut inventories in coming months, a troubling sign that economic growth could weaken.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that wholesale stockpiles grew 0.7 percent in July, the biggest increase in five months.

Sales fell 0.1 percent following declines of 1.4 percent in June and 1.1 percent in May. That marked the longest stretch of weakness since seven straight monthly declines ending in January 2009, a period when the country was in recession.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — More than 50 Lukoil gas stations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania jacked up prices to more than $8 a gallon Wednesday to protest what they say are unfair pricing practices by Lukoil North America that leave them at a competitive disadvantage.

Dozens of Lukoil franchise owners also gathered to protest at a station in this central New Jersey town, where the posted prices were an eye-popping $8.99 a gallon.

The owners and the New Jersey Gasoline, Convenience, Automotive Association said the one-day protest was aimed at raising consumer awareness about the challenges facing Lukoil dealers and getting the company to respond to dealer grievances.

NEW YORK — McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. will soon get a new menu addition: The number of calories in the chain's burgers and fries.

The world's biggest hamburger chain said Wednesday that it will post calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide starting Monday. The move comes ahead of a regulation that could require major chains to post the information as early as next year.

HARTFORD — The operator of six nursing homes in Connecticut has filed for bankruptcy protection to cut costs and eliminate some of its $27 million in debt.

Spectrum Healthcare, which employs 725 workers, plans to keep its homes in operation as it reorganizes, according to the Hartford Courant. Spectrum owns nursing homes in Ansonia, Derby, Hartford, Manchester, Torrington and Winsted.

Filing for bankruptcy protection gives the company time to pay bills as it drafts a plan for a better-financed operation.

Spectrum said its patient numbers have been reduced by a state cost-cutting policy that allows Medicaid money to pay for home health care services for patients who prefer to remain at home. State officials say 619 of Spectrum's 716 beds were used, an occupancy rate of 86.5 percent.

The bankruptcy filing also could allow Spectrum to reopen a contract reached last year with the Service Employees International Union after a 13-month strike. A union spokeswoman told the Courant the company didn't ask to reopen the contract before the filing.

HealthBridge, which has SEIU workers at five homes on strike, and its sister company CareOne Management of New Jersey, reacted to the Spectrum filing with statements criticizing state officials, saying they back unions' pressure for wage and benefits in the face of government reimbursement cuts.

PORTLAND, Maine — Amtrak's Downeaster is ready to roll to northward to Freeport and Brunswick, Maine.

The Boston-to-Portland service becomes a Boston-to-Brunswick service effective Nov. 1. Patricia Quinn of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority says tickets go on sale on Oct. 1.

Expanding the service required improvements to more than 30 miles of rail, rehabilitation of 36 crossings and constructions of two station platforms. Remaining track work will be completed in weeks.

The service is coming off a record year with 528,292 passengers. Initially, two of the five daily roundtrips between Portland and Boston will travel to Brunswick. The expanded service is expected to add 36,000 more passengers each year.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — An international law firm based in Boston is locating a global services center in Lexington, creating 250 jobs beginning next spring.

Bingham McCutchen LLP said employees will relocate from existing offices or be hired from the Lexington area.

The plan calls for the center to locate in the University of Kentucky's Coldstream Research Campus business park. The jobs will include finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, knowledge services, marketing, operations and risk management.

Bingham said it has about 1,000 lawyers and more than 900 staff in 14 offices in the U.S.

The firm has received preliminary approval for tax incentives up to $6.5 million.

DETROIT — A strike by the Canadian Auto Workers union would be felt quickly in the U.S. if it happens next week.

Negotiations between the union and Detroit's three automakers became testy recently. The companies are trying to cut costs and the union is refusing their demands for concessions. Contracts with all three companies expire Monday night.

General Motors, Chrysler and Ford all make popular models in Canada that would soon be in short supply. CAW workers also make key engine parts and other components for U.S.-built cars. That could force some U.S. auto factories to shut down. CAW members have voted to authorize strikes if deals can't be reached.

The companies say Canada is the most expensive place in the world to build cars and trucks.

Compiled from Associated Press reports

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